Central Europe
Bragg Gaming Partners with GAMRFIRST.ch
Bragg Gaming Group has entered into a partnership with GAMRFIRST.ch, the popular online casino operation of Casino Barrière Montreux in Switzerland.
The agreement brings Bragg’s exclusive content library, including games from its proprietary Bragg Studios brand Atomic Slot Lab such as Fairy Dust, Dreamy Genie and Egyptian Magic to the Swiss operator’s players for the first time.
Founded in 1883, Casino Barrière Montreux is renowned as one of Switzerland’s most iconic and luxurious land-based casinos. With a rich history spanning over a century, Casino Barrière Montreux has evolved to provide a top-tier entertainment destination for players from around the world. In keeping with their commitment to innovation and exceptional customer experiences, Casino Barrière Montreux first launched GAMRFIRST.ch online in late 2021.
The Barrière Group is a renowned hospitality and entertainment company celebrated for its exceptional hotels, restaurants and casinos. With a legacy of over a century, it boasts a collection of exquisite hotels, captivating casinos, gourmet dining and thrilling entertainment venues. Impeccable service, unmatched elegance and a commitment to innovation define Groupe Barrière’s commitment to creating unforgettable moments, most notably with its development in online activities including BarriereBet, a sport betting platform in France and GAMRFIRST.ch its online casino in Switzerland.
Switzerland’s online gambling market has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a global projected market size of $1.08 billion in 2023 according to H2 Gambling Capital estimates, with around 40% attributed to the online casino segment.
Bragg’s content has been capturing an increasing share of the Swiss online casino market since it first launched in the territory in 2021, and GAMRFIRST.ch marks the supplier’s fifth new content partnership to launch in the country this year so far.
Lara Falzon, President and COO at Bragg Gaming Group, said: “We are delighted to join forces with GAMRFIRST.ch and Casino Barrière Montreux, a highly renowned name in the Swiss gambling industry. This collaboration enables us to showcase our exceptional portfolio of exclusive games to even more players and further solidify our position as a leading content provider to the Swiss online gaming market. We look forward to a successful and prosperous partnership.”
Patrick Ballestraz, Head of Online at GAMRFIRST.ch, said: “Incorporating games from both Bragg Studios and the Powered by Bragg range is an excellent addition to our online casino operation. We are confident that our players will appreciate the exceptional titles at launch as well as the ongoing releases and future games roadmap from Bragg. This partnership strengthens our commitment to providing the best online gaming experience in Switzerland.”
Central Europe
Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime
The Polish Parliament is considering a landmark draft law to curb harmful digital content, specifically targeting the phenomenon known as “patostreaming.”
Patostreaming is recognised as a new term to categorise criminal offences related to the broadcasting of online violence, abuse and sexually degrading content.
The proposed legislation would criminalize the broadcasting of violence, abuse, and sexually degrading material. Additionally, the bill seeks to outlaw the promotion of online gambling by social media influencers. By amending the Penal Code, supporters aim to bridge the legal gap between digital behaviour and offline criminal acts, ensuring online offenders face the same accountability as those in the physical world.
The bill carries the backing of ministers of Poland’s new Civic Coalition (KO) government, formed in late 2025 by the union of the Citizens Platform (PO), Modern (Nowoczesna) and the Polish Initiative (iPL).
Supporters call for clearer enforcement powers to treat the online broadcasting of serious criminal acts as a punishable offence, aligning digital conduct with crimes already sanctioned offline.
If adopted, the legislation would introduce prison sentences ranging from three months to five years for individuals who publicly share real or staged content depicting serious criminal acts via online platforms.
The same penalty range would also apply to influencers found to be illegally promoting online gambling activity that remains heavily restricted under Poland’s state-controlled gambling regime.
KO ministers have framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen online protections for Polish youth, citing rising exposure to violent digital content and illegal gambling promotions across social media platforms.
The post Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Casino-Groups
Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups
Sebastian Jarosch is no longer solely the founder and managing director of Casino Groups as he is also taking on the role of Head of AI, at least on an interim basis. This personnel decision marks a conscious step towards closer integration of corporate management and technological responsibility.
In future, Jarosch will not only be responsible for the strategic direction of the company, but also for the further development of the AI systems that already form a central part of the product landscape. Casino Groups is one of the best-known platforms, which has been using and continuously developing an AI-supported rating system for online casinos for some time.
The decision to anchor the role of Head of AI directly at management level was a conscious one. Artificial intelligence now influences almost all areas of the affiliate business, from content structures and data analysis to regulatory documentation and product logic. Such a development requires decisions that bring together economic objectives, technological possibilities and legal frameworks.
Sebastian Jarosch brings this perspective from years of experience in the iGaming sector. As an entrepreneur, he is familiar with economic dependencies as well as the challenges of increasing regulation. The additional responsibility in the AI area makes it possible to set technological courses more quickly, define priorities more clearly and establish innovation as an integral part of corporate management.
The new role of Head of AI fits in perfectly with current developments in the iGaming market. Increasing regulatory requirements, rising acquisition and content costs, and the growing influence of AI-powered search systems are changing the economic fundamentals of the affiliate business. Visibility is no longer achieved solely through reach, but through authority, consistency and verifiable quality.
With this appointment, Casino Groups is sending a clear signal to the outside world. Affiliate companies are increasingly being valued like media or technology companies. Partners and investors are placing greater emphasis on compliance, data competence and sustainable product development. The bundling of management and AI responsibility strengthens the company’s credibility in these areas.
At the same time, Casinos Groups is positioning itself as a player that does not delegate innovation, but actively drives it forward. The interim nature of the role creates space for further development and adaptation without diluting the strategic ambition. For the industry as a whole, this step underlines that AI expertise has arrived at the management level.
The role of Head of AI forms the organisational foundation for this development. It ensures that technological innovation, editorial standards and economic objectives are interlinked. Casino Groups is thus pursuing a clear line: technology as a tool, people as an authority and quality as a connecting element.
The post Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Birgit Wimmer
Birgit Wimmer Named Chairwoman as NOVOMATIC AG Reshapes Supervisory Board
“As Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, I look forward to working together with my colleagues on both the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board as we help to successfully shape the Group’s strategic and sustainable development,” says Birgit Wimmer.
Dr. Haig Asenbauer, an internationally experienced lawyer with particular expertise in cross-border M&A transactions, company reorganization, and complex investment structures, was elected to serve as Deputy Chairman. Martina Flitsch retains her position as a Member of the Supervisory Board. She has many years of experience in international group structures and in providing strategic and legal support for corporate investments. Dr. Robert Hofians, a recognized finance and capital markets expert who also has extensive experience in the fields of governance and regulation in his roles as a professor and public accountant, also remains a Member of the Supervisory Board.
As of January 1, 2026, the Supervisory Board of NOVOMATIC AG is now composed as follows:
- Birgit Wimmer, MSc., MBA (Chairwoman)
- Dr. Haig Asenbauer (Deputy Chairman)
- Martina Flitsch (Member)
- Dr. Robert Hofians (Member)
The post Birgit Wimmer Named Chairwoman as NOVOMATIC AG Reshapes Supervisory Board appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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